Effects of ceftriaxone on faecal flora: analysis by micromorphometry

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 106; no. 3; pp. 513 - 521
• Main Authors: Meijer, B. C., Kootstra, G. J., Geertsma, D. G., Wilkinson, M. H. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-06-1991
• Subjects: Action of physical and chemical agents on bacteria; Adult; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - growth & development; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Ceftriaxone - pharmacology; Ceftriaxone - therapeutic use; Colony Count, Microbial; Digital images; Entropy; Fecal flora; Feces - microbiology; Female; Flora; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Image analysis; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Male; Microbiology; Microcomputers; Microorganisms; Microscope slides; Volunteerism; Microflora; Antibiotic; Feces; Drug susceptibility test
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268800067571

In order to elucidate the effect of ceftriaxone therapy on the morphology of gut microflora, 11 human volunteers were treated with ceftriaxone, 1 g daily, given intramuscularly in one dose. Treatment continued for 5 days. Faecal microflora was analysed by digital image processing before, during and after the treatment period. We derived simple numerical parameters which describe the morphologic composition of the flora. They were significantly influenced by the antibiotic, and returned to their baseline values more than 7 days after treatment was stopped. The procedure holds promise for clinical application.